An Oklahoma animal control officer is being lauded for his compassion after helping a baby deer left orphaned after its mother was struck by a car.

 

The City of Muskogee Animal Control Officer Phil Blair was called to the scene of an animal that had been hit by a car. When he arrived on scene, Blair discovered the animal was a deer and that it had been severely injured with all of its legs broken. Blair humanely euthanized the suffering animal, and then noticed movement in the deer's abdomen. The animal had been about to give birth to a fawn when it was struck by the car.

 

Blair and a co-worker quickly prepared to bring the baby fawn into the world. Although neither man was trained as a veterinarian, Blair was familiar with animals and helped with the delivery. The newborn fawn struggled at first but was soon breathing and trying to stand.

 

The animal has been taken to an animal rehabilitation specialist and is doing well.